Thill-coupling



Patented Apr. 25, I899.

M. N. CRARY.

THILL COUPLING.

(No Model.)

ATENT MADISON N. ORARY, OF HIOK SVILLE, OHIO.

THILL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,948, dated April 25, 1899.

Application filed October 24, 1898. Serial No. 694,396. (No model.)

pole couplings; and its object is to provide an improved construction of the same whereby the thill may be instantly connected with the axle of a vehicle without the employmentof any tools, bolts, or pins which require the removal thereof before the thill can be disconnected and which may be employed in connection with a pair of shafts or with a pole, as may be desired. It can also be instantly removed when required and instantly replaced, so that the front of the shafts or pole may rest on the ground as usual.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinaf-- ter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of a thill-coupling constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar View of the metal block, the thill and spring being removed. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of the spring.

In thesaid drawings the reference-numeral 1 designates a metal block adapted to be clipped to a vehicle-axle and formed at the outer end with a rearwardly and downwardly extending slot 2, the lower end of which intersects with a rectangular opening 3, forming a shoulder 4, against which the under side of the curved hook of the thill bears, as hereinafter described. Formed in said block is an interior recess 5, at the front of which is a downwardly-depending lug 6. The numeral 7 designates a spring secured to the lower side of said block by screws 8 and consisting of a spring-metal plate having its front bent downwardly to form a loop 9 and then curved upwardly, forming an arm 10, which is adapted to engage with a curved hook on a thilliron.

The numeral 11 designates a thill formed at the end with a curved hook 12.

The manner of coupling the thills to the blocks is as follows: The shafts to which the thills are attached are turned upwardly to an approximately vertical position, and the ends of the curved hooks are inserted in the opening in the blocks. The shafts are then lowered, the hooks following lug 6 on a perfect circle in the block, the spring-arm 10 yielding for such purpose. To disconnect the thills, it is simply necessary to elevate the shafts,

when the thills will be detached from the blocks automatically.

Other advantages possessed by my invention are that it can be instantly changed from a thill to a pole, the thill can be removed whenthe vehicle is in a barn or stable, giving more room, and it is a perfect antirattler.

That I claim is A thill-couplin g comprising a block recessed to receive the hook end of the shaft or pole, and provided with a rounded lug 6 and a cross-bar, in combination with a spring-plate secured to the under side of the block and bent to form a loop, and then bent rearwardly to embrace the hook of the shaft or pole.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MADISON N. CRARY.

\Vitnesses:

W. F. HORTON, W. D. WILSON. 

